I haven't heard from Race in a while, so I am anxious to get an email or a phone call or something. It's always such a relief to get any bit of communication, ya know?

Anniesue, I love ya! Thank-you, thank-you for the nice words!!! I am definitely still as vain as I was in college, I just don't have as much time to indulge! (And folks, I am talking SERIOUS vanity, here.....within days of moving into my room in college, I had the desk on my side of the room covered in pink contac paper, and turned into a vanity with a lighted mirror!) And don't be fooled by Anniesue, I noticed that in her pictures, she has not one wrinkle.......NOT ONE!

On the subject of friends and college roommates :My friend since first grade had her 3rd child today. Welcome little William Henry!(Not so little, though at 9lb 14 oz!) And congrats Janelle and Bill. So glad that everything went so smoothly.

Poor Em is STILL sick! Sending prayers out for her and her family. They have been fighting various illnesses for quite awile now, and The Dude is holding down the fort AND working his regular job when Em is sick. (Oh- and I am told that The Dude also had a flat tire today on his way in to work!) Hope things are better soon, guys.

Baseball is going well for the boys so far. Austin is excited to be pitching this year on varsity. And all of Pap-paw's hitting practice has done WONDERS for his batting. Jack loves hitting the ball, carrying a bat bag, wearing a batting helmet, and SLIDING. And guess what color their baseball pants are for the Dixie Youth team? Yep, WHITE.

Savannah is going to her first rehearsal for dance on Saturday, and she is SOooo excited about that. She just can't wait to be on stage again!

So, that' what's going on here.
We miss you Race! Come home soon!

G'night
Melissa

We have been Sooo busy, that I haven't had time to blog!

School lessons have been going well, and we are definitely getting a lot done each day. But I am certainly feeling stretched mighty thin. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to Race being home again.

Baseball season is now officially in full swing. In case you have forgotten.....that's 3 baseball schedules. And rehearsals for the next dance performance start up on April 1(That's 3 days of dance a week). The upside to it all, is that the kids are doing great. Staying physically active has been a real plus for them in so many ways. And while it IS a lot for ME to run them around to, it seems to fit each of the kids perfectly, and they really are thriving.

Hoping to keep myself busy while Race was gone, I decided back in January to take on a remodeling project of the main living area of our home. (Oh...yes! What a FABULOUS idea.......because I have NOTHING to do!) Anyway, I am about half way through. I did get my dining room curtains made and hung this week. And they look Soooo good! That is the one room that is almost finished, so maybe I can do some before and after pics soon. I am pleased with how everything is turning out, but I am still in the middle, and would really like to get things to a more finished state before Race comes home. Here is my kind of wierdo goal:

I want Race to know immediately when he comes home, that all his time away and sacrifice really IS improving our quality of life, (that would be important to me, if I were the one staying away), AND I would like for his time at home to be a time of relaxation, with the main focus on just being together as a family.

So, that's my thinking, and that's why I started the remodel.....we'll see how far I get. Right now I have about 50 boxes of Pergo flooring sitting in my living room waiting for the installer to put it down.

OH. ALso, with Race coming home in the near future, and spring and what not, my thought s have also returned to my aging self. I will be thirty *BLEEP* this year, and my skin is looking every bit of that age. My genetically cursed rear end remains a problem. My sister Thom may just have the answer though. She is going to market new jeans with extra padding in the butt where a certain segment of the female population (however small we may be) needs it. She has christened these hot new pants, "Jeans For The Ass-Less". Man, I gotta get me some of them jeans.

G'night,
Melissa

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACE!!!!!

Well, we were all hit with some form of the flu. But we are all on the mend, and feeling much better, so maybe I can get back to bloggin' now!

Today is Race's birthday, and we miss him terribly. We sent him a package, and as luck would have it, it arrived right on time! We can't really send much, because he has to travel light. So, the kids and I sent him "A Year in Pictures". We took a sampling of the pictures from this year, and spaced them out on laminate, so that the entire thing could be folded up like one of those laminated travel maps. This way he can hang it on his wall, but take it with him as well. In the box, there was also a few toy lizards from jack, a picture fron Savannah, a signed baseball from Austin, and some of Race's favorite candy.

The kids are going to be thrilled that it arrived right on time for him. So, Happy Birthday Race! Be careful and come home soon.

Have a great weekend!
Melissa

This is a picture......of the pictures. It says,"Happy Birthday Dad, Come Home Soon". And we all signed it.

NO SURRENDER...FIX BAYONET'S

O.K., I'll admit it. The news of the extension to Race's trip definitely brought out the worst in me. I have cried and figuratively thrown a full blown tantrum because I miss my husband. My kids miss their father. We had all the details worked out. And then THIS. It was a huge blow. Like someone knocked the air out of you. And I DID NOT handle it well at all.

It is through the miracle of God's amazing grace that he doesn't turn His back on me at times like this. That he doesn't just leave me there to wallow in all of my self pity. Oh, I do a very good job of justifying my feelings, by saying, "What about the kids? They will be devastated!" And they may be. But God is faithful. He knows what I need, and He knows what my children need. Thank-you so much for your prayers.

I was reminded in a very humbling and frightening way this week, just how dangerous Race's job really is. His tasks each day require his full attention. He can't have an "off day". I was humbled because I realized that I was so wrapped up in my own plans, my own selfish expectations, that I had forgotten the larger picture. There are LIVES on the line here, and not just his. When asked to help out a bit longer than expected to do a job that.........LIVES depend on, in the most fundamental way you can imagine......Could he say, "Sorry, man....gotta get home for baseball...hope ya find someone..." ? Would I WANT him to say that? I was reminded just how much bigger this all is than just me. And somehow, I will relay that to our children. And we will carry on.

In Race's line of work there is a definite communication break down for those that they leave back home. There has to be. I cannot tell you how difficult that is for me to handle. Actual conversations are few and far between, and so vague that you would think that we hardly knew one another. Now THAT'S hard! And I am sure that it will come as no surprise to you that none Race's co-workers have families who are together any more. And they'd give anything to "fix it". I hope that we can be a positive influence, in that way.

I am so thankful for my family. They have made such an enormous difference in the lives of each of my children. I just don't know where we would be without them to fill the gap. They are truly one of my greatest blessings. They spend time with my kids, even when it isn't easy. ANd they call to check on me, even when they aren't sure what to say.

Psalm 119:32 (NEB) "I will run the course set out in thy commandments,/ for they gladden my heart."
Thanks so much for all of your prayers. We're alittle battered, and there will be more to come as the kids find out about the extension, but we're not beaten. And they won't be either.

Have a great day!
Melissa

Family of Johnny Bad Ass waving white flag

The first email of the day today, was one from Race, telling me that his trip has been extended.(This all seems so familiar.)

The first phone call of the day was from the Automotive place. The suburban needs a new fuel pump. And no luck on getting the little car inspected today.

Prayers would be SOooo appreciated.

Feeling pretty overwhelmed and very inadequate for the tasks at hand.

Well, we are all still hanging in there, and our illnesses seem to have leveled off at least, and aren't keeping anyone down.

There. That was positive, right? See, I have a POSITIVE blog. Full of funny and uplifting things.

Several of my nightmares came true today. Nightmare #1: Car wouldn't start.

I don't understand it. It drove fine yesterday. I parked it in the driveway, in it's usual spot, where it can bask and be admired in all of it's shiny, black glory. How could it do this to me? No buzzer? No whistle? No flashing light of warning??? I ask you. What is this insanity know as the automobile? Where is technology? It can tell me when the door is left open, but can't explain when it is about to up and DIE???

I calmly usher the kids and all of their bags, cleats, snacks, drinks, belts,tights, etc. into the TEENY, TINY commuter car, affectionately known as "The Skate". All the while Jack is saying, "But Mom, it doesn't have the sticker. It doesn't have THE STICKER". HE is talking about an inspection sticker. No one drives "The Skate", and it's inspection had run out in Nov. But, hey, I'm a chance taker, and the kids have got commitments. We take off.

I drop Austin off at practice, and rush out for jumper cables (the ones that are SUPPOSED to be neatly stowed in the suburban in that special,"cable compartment" have vanished and the compartment was empty). I come home and fire up the Scalded Dog, (y'all remember that truck, right?) I READ THE DIRECTIONS ON THE JUMPER CABLES. Yeah, um, could that BE any more confusing? How the hell am I supposed to remember about the whole positive negative thing, if you keep reminding me that at any moment....with the SLIGHTEST mistake....I will be permanently disfigured by the spray of battery acid all over my body?****

Fast Forward-

I did hook up the cables properly. I was NOT permanently disfigured by the spray of battery acid......but the car wouldn't turn over at all. Some distant, repressed memory came back to me at this point, and I remembered that the rapid, clicking sound may be the starter.

Fast Forward again-

Still driving "The Skate",I pick Austin up from baseball, drop Savannah off at dance, pick up pizza, and pass our poor beautiful suburban on the road being towed by Bubbles Towing Service. And although Bubbles is an extremely obese and frightening looking black man, he is, in fact very nice and polite and you should not be afraid. *** BTW, why is it that all tow truck drivers are so large? Have you ever noticed that? The whole world of automotives is a mystery to me***

The boys and I had to attend Austin's baseball parents meeting tonight. You know, the one that I was dreading? Well, the whole first part was the same, and you had to pay special attention to the part where head hauncho tells all the parents to "Respect your Team Mom's. They have the hardest jobs. SO many Team Mom's came to me last year, CRYING after being cussed by one of you parents.......yada, yada, yada".

Guess who was voted Team Mom? TWICE. And that, my friends, was Nightmare #2.

But, hey......my face was not sprayed with battery acid...(weak smile).

There's more to tell, but I've gotta get to bed. Gotta go get "The Skate" inspected tomorrow.

G'night,
Melissa

Well......Ooookay....

But I am not feeling very inspired. So, don't say you weren't warned, Thom.

We have been fighting illness at our house all week. So far, we have managed to keep going, and everyone has been on HUGE doses of Vit. C. But as of tonight, I am a little concerned about Austin. We'll see what the morning brings.

All 3 kids were at Mam-maw and Pap-paws this weekend. That's right......ALL 3 KIDS. So, what does Melissa do when she has a weekend to herself? Well, I was sick. All was not lost, though. I actually made some progress on some of the home improvement tasks. I hung a new chandelier for the dining room, installed track lighting in the living room, changed 4 inside door knobs from the ugly "gold" color to nice brushed nickel-finished ones. I installed a "door-closer-thingy" on the screen door, so that everyone will quit leaving it open AND I purchased and hung some nice window boxes for the railings of the front porch(but they're still empty).

Saturday night, I made a late night run to the local grocery, and who did I run into? My sister, Thom! I was by the dairy case when I heard her call. I only had a handful of items to grab, but, of course had grabbed a buggy...just in case. She on the other hand had to buy a lg jug of water and a humongo bag of dog food.......so....she quickly stole my basket and we finished up our shopping. I totally didn't mind though, because she told me that she thought that my hair cut looked really good.........(I hadn't even brushed it.....once). Also, she didn't laugh as I searched my purse for my keys for 5 min. before realizing that they were in my hand.
Ooo-ooo- also, Mega-High-Fives to Thom, whom I am told was CARDED twice last week!! WOAH! Under 21?? Congratulations my friend.....savor those moments(sniff, sniff, wiping a tiny tear from my eye). I have not ascertained WHERE she was to have been carded.....TWICE. The secret life of the bachelorette....who can know it?

I will have to save my annual "Nightmare at Baseball Parent Meeting" for another night. Let's just say, that I don't *think* that there are any ex-con parents on Jack's team, (however, I was careful to note that 2 did not show up...so we'll see). I sat in the Middle School cafeteria(complete with a large, compelling poster of Hillary Duff telling me to "Drink Milk") with about 100 other "parents" (this is JUST 8-9 yr olds league).I couldn't describe this crowd of people if I tried. Do the words "Big Johnson" mean anything to you? Well, I saw at least 4 of those shirts while I was there.
After he read our "hand out" to us....word-for -word, We were told by the head hauncho to "Please go DIRECTLY to your assigned room, with your assigned coach. Please DO NOT loiter in the hallways and keep your children with you AT ALL TIMES. PLEASE (special emphasis here) DO NOT MESS with any of the teachers things in the classrooms, and DO NOT write on the boards." Man, I grabbed my designer bag and tucked that baby under my arm and RAN like hell to my assigned room, looking back over my shoulder as I went. Have I mentioned that I live in "mountain country"? Well, I also live in "baseball country". I live in the south, in "baseball, mountain country".

*(shouting here) I WILL BE THE HAPPIEST WOMAN ON EARTH WHEN RACE IS HOME TO ATTEND ONE OF THESE MEETINGS!!!*

Well, tomorrow night is the parents meeting for Austin's league. I am sure that there will be stories to tell. Perhaps, I'll be perkier tomorrow, and will be able to do it justice.

We ARE still enjoying the gorgeous weather!
Be safe Race, we are praying for you and we miss you so much. Come home soon. We love you!

G'night,
Melissa

A good day..

Today was good. Lessons were completed, and it was one of those days in schooling, where you knew that they really "got it". Austin and I had a great time with the article on Chimps,evolution and altruism that was posted over at The Dude's blog. After reading it, I had him go through and point out the leaps in logic that were taken in the article.It was also a good chance to talk about the seriousness of slanting a study to make the results favor your theory. THAT is not science...and in my opinion, it is dangerous. (This goes equally for creation scientists as well.) Let the FACTS support themselves....only then can science move forward.

The boys went to the creek and found all manner of life forms. A "mystery bug" was also reportedly seen. There were several games of UNO played in this house today....and STILL Jack is the champion. It is definitely going to his head.

Speaking of Jack, I forgot to tell you, that the other day when it was just the 2 of us. I had wanted to surprise him, by going to buy his baseball gear together.

Me: "Hey squirt, what do you say we go and get your cleats and baseball pants and stuff today?"
Jack: (excited) "OH, Mom, I had a feeling you were going to do that today, so I AM ready.......I'm wearing socks AND UNDERWEAR!"
Me: "Well...this IS a special day then, isn't it?"
Jack: (happily, oblivious) "YEP, it SURE is."

Today, I was on the phone with Thomasina and all was quiet here in the house. Everyone was off enjoying their own bit of free time. I was telling Thom that I needed a place to put the treadmill, where I could get a bit of privacy. (There's nothing worse than concentrating on your running, being all sweaty...and turning around to find that your youngest has been laying in the floor staring sleepily at you for God knows how long!) It seems no matter what time I get up, SOMEONE gets up right after me.
I got off the phone and all was still quiet. A little later everyone was in the kitchen and Savannah announces, "OH- HEY, guys....from now on, we need to give mom some privacy!" I look at her surprised, and she shrugs, "Well, I was playing in the hallway....I couldn't HELP but over hear!" LOL! My point, exactly.

We Miss You Race!
G'night,
Melissa

Yeah.....umm...just go ahead overHere to Culloden Farms. She has started a series on Classical Education that is totally inspiring. Great Stuff!

G'night,
melissa

Ack! Long, catch-up post!

Another week down. Another week closer to Race coming home. I'll admit, I am languishing a bit. Just tired mostly, and missing my husband.

On the bright side, we had a pretty good week this week. I managed to get everyone where they needed to be without slipping into a coma-like state(yay!). I was being careful to make the most of the time that I had with each of the kids....even if it WAS in the car! I tried not to slip off into that quiet utopia called "my own thoughts", and instead engaged the kids in conversation about their own thoughts. This doesn't exactly come naturally to me, because.......I like my privacy. Seeing that Race is gone, and we home school.......well, privacy just isn't anything that I see much of these days! So, I am quick to jealously grab that time in the car(where we live), and let the kids veg out on a video, or drain their brains with the Gameboy. Bad, bad, mom. So, on that front, I have turned a corner and made a new start, and I know it's worth the effort.
Parenthood is a funny thing. It isn't a list that you can just check things off of. A good parent isn't about being the Team Mom, or the Coach of the ball team, or driving around with a soccer ball on your mini van. It is about investing in a child's life. YOUR child's life. And you can do that from your living room.......or your suburban. You can do that from your own home, or from the other side of the world.

Mom and Dad came and picked up Austin for his baseball lessons this weekend. Austin had a great time, and they brought him back today super happy, and super tired.For the month of March, he will spend every weekend with them. They take him to his private lessons and to their church on Sunday's , before bringing him home. He is loving it! His varsity practice is going really well. There are only 3 things that could happen to make his life sheer heaven. 1. Race could be home enjoying all this baseball WITH him, and 2. That I would wake up and say, "That's it. You've graduated. I have taught you all you need to know. You are free to pursue a career in baseball to it's fullest." and 3. That varsity would practice on Wednesday's too, so that he would be playing a full 7 days a week.

Savannah went with the youth group today after church up to the ski resort to go snow tubing! She had a blast. There were more girls that boys going, and she and her friends managed to all pile into one car. She also returned home really happy and really tired.

Jackson and I had some time to ourselves today, so we went and picked out his baseball pants, socks and cleats. He quickly shed his clothing on the way home and was dressed out completely when he got out of the car. He is pretty sure that those cleats(his first pair) enable him to run at the speed of light. he practiced running back and forth about 100 times to show me.

We wrapped things up today by meeting Mom, Dad, Austin, Thom, and The Lawman at a local Italian dive. This was my first time meeting Lawman. He's pretty quiet, so I don't feel like I really got to know him. He did seem to get a kick out of Jacks antics, though and definitely seems genuine. I guess we'll have to see if he hangs around much with the fam in the future! BTW, a HUGE thanks to Thom this week for picking up my kids at their various places so that I could liberate my hair from it's ratty ends. It was bad. Really, really bad. SO, thanks Thom!

Thanks for checking in, here. And thanks for your prayers. They mean so much to Race and I.
G'night,
Melissa

The weather was gorgeous today, and both boys are fighting off head colds, so we had a light day of school lessons, cancelled martial arts and headed outdoors! It was so awesome. All my flowers are popping up and the crocuses have started blooming. I like to wander around and stare at all the little green shoots trying to break through the hard winter ground. Savannah and I had a bit of time over the weekend together, and after getting coffee, we went to one of the local garden stores and bought the most beautiful primroses, along with some english ivy. Has anyone ever grown primroses with success in the south? If you have any tips, please let me know. They are so pretty.

Austin made it to baseball practice yesterday in spite of feeling pretty badly. Everything went really well, and he is very excited about this year.


I talked to Dy last night. It is always so good to catch up with her. She always cracks me up! I feel bad though, because every time she and I talk, we just keep going till her phone cuts off.(oops!)The baby sounds just precious, and I did some arm twisting for pictures!

I spoke with Race's mom and found out that we are going to be the blessed recipients of his grandmothers antique books!! We are soo excited about this, and it gives me more incentive to go ahead and purchase those bookshelves that we have had our eye on. Savannah and I simply cannot WAIT to get our hands on those books. Thank-you Gammy!!!

A few things that my youngest has said in the past few days:

Out of nowhere he pipes up and says,
" Mom, never look a monkey in the eye."
"Why?"
"Because, they see it as a threat."
"Oh...really? Well....big deal...What can a MONKEY do, anyway?" (wink)
Shaocked at my ignorance, but wanting to let me down easy, "Oh-ho-ho...Looks can be deceiving, Mom, looks.. can.. be.. deceiving."

And then tonight, while I was cooking supper, (spaghetti) he said, "OHhh MAN- I just LOVE meat! Especially that curly kind!" (meaning ground beef).

G'night,
melissa

The Weekend

We picked up one tired kid from the camp out today. As far as I can tell, everything went great. But Austin is super tired, and getting a sore throat. Varsity ball practice starts tomorrow, so I sent him to bed early with all sorts of vitamins and herbs, to hopefully ward off anything serious.

Jack attended a birthday party this weekend. There were 14 boys there all together! Now that is one brave mom! It was a Lego party, which I thought was an awesome idea. He had a wonderful time, and it was just the pick-me-up that he needed.

Savannah was invited by a friend and her family, to go out to dinner and to a christian concert at a local cafe'. She had a wonderful time and didn't get home till after 10pm.

We had visitors today!! First Thom got here. Then Em, The Dude and the boys came by today, before heading back home. Poor W! After suffering a nasty fall, his little nose and eyes look so pitiful! But you would never know anything was wrong. He was his usual, fun loving self, and all smiles. Q and Jack played together the whole time. They got on the trampoline, and Jack showed Q how to "power hit" in baseball.Too cute. The Dude was loaded down with baseball cards for the boys. I mean packs, and packs, and PACKS! Remnants from The Dude's collection, I believe. The boys were in heaven! They have done little else today but look at cards.

Well, my post is all over the place tonight, but there it is. I am finishing up lesson plans for this week, and then I am off to bed. Tomorrow will be filled with school lessons, then baseball practice and dance class. Oh- and we have to get into town to buy new cleats before practice.

We dropped Austin off for another boy scout camp-out this weekend. they are going over back packing requirements, so they will be hiking in 2 miles, camping in pairs.....and feeding themselves....and then hiking back out. When we dropped him off, all the boys were really excited. A. would be using his new Pocket Rocket back packing stove for the first time. Have you SEEN this thing? AMAZING! When folded, it is about 4 inches long, and weighs less than a pound.

A while after bedtime tonight, Jack came back downstairs. I could tell that he had been crying. I asked what was wrong and he said, "I just miss dad so much." I felt so bad for him. I told him that I missed dad too, and I know that it is hard. But Dad is doing his part. And we will continue to do our part. And I told him to remember how wonderful it is when we are all together again. I let him stay up and watch the Olympics while he and I folded clothes together. He found a pair of wool socks in the laundry pile that Race had bought for him to wear in London. He stopped and put them on. I asked what he was doing and he said, "I just want to wear these tonight. It reminds me of London. I wish that we could go back there with Dad."

Jack has a birthday party to attend tomorrow. He is excited to have something on HIS social calendar, since his brother and sister seem to always be on the go! I hope that it helps to take his mind off of things a little. Maybe we could take in a movie or something this weekend.

Savannah is our trooper. I swear she is the strongest of the three. You can always count on her to buckle down and carry on. She makes me so proud. She and I will get a little girl time tomorrow while J. is at the party.

I got a few more pictures of Race. We miss hime so much. Yes, Jack, it's hard when your Daddy is a hero. It is a sacrifice. But we wouldn't trade him for the world.

G'night
Melissa

Austin

ACK!

This year I find that I have also become the designated driver for OTHER PEOPLE's children as well. Now, I don't really mind this, as I am out anyway, and most of these kids are friends of my kids. But tonight I took my neighbor home from M.Arts, (Yes, we have recruited the whole neighborhood over the years!). She is 17. She ended up coming back to our house, because her folks weren't home from choir practice yet, and she is scared to be at home by herself. When she got here, she asked if she could check her comments at "MY SPACE". After a few questions, I let her. My computer is in a makeshift office space in our living room, so after I got everyones dinner, I walked through to find Jack staring at the screen beside Neighbor Girl. Her friends had posted provocative pictures of themselves.....asking for comments. I immediately told her to get off the computer. She, of course began apologizing profusely and swore she didn't know what was on there. Privately, we had a long talk, and hopefully I made myself clear, without being over bearing. I saw a side of the teen scene tonight that I am glad that I didn't have to grow up in. I saw a website for a girl that I know pretty well (not my neighbor). She is from a Christian home. I know her family. I am so shocked! I honestly think that most parents are clueless as to what their kids are doing on the internet. ACK! DO NOT let your children have free, unmonitored access to the internet!!! AHhhhhhhh!!! think about when you were 16......could YOU have handeled that kind of thing wisely???? I snooped around on the MY SPACE sight after she left, and found several kids that I know......with NOTHING positive going on on their web sites.

It was talking with Neighbor Girl that really opened my eyes. Poor thing. She struggles, she really does, trying to be a good Christian girl, and yet there is SO MUCH around her. She told me so much.(She always does.) Ugh.

In a way, this was actually reafirmation for me. For the direction that we have chosen for Austin, so far, and all the leg work that it involves. His time is filled with goals and work and purpose and positive influences. there will always be things to trip him up, (Satan works that way), but I pray to God that he never drains his mind and ambitions by something so utterly useless.

As a side note, later in the evening, Austin asked if I minded if he jumped on the computer. Neighbor Girl looked surprised, and said, "What does Austin look at on the computer?" "Major League Baseball . com.....what else?"

Wow. What a wake up call.

thank-you so much for all the prayers. They are SOoo appreciated. Sending out prayers of my own tonight for Dy and Lynette, and their families who are all struggling with illness. Feel better guys!

G'night,
Melissa

feeling a little overwhelmed...

I am trying to unwind from a very trying day today. One glance at my calendar, and you'll know why I am feeling slightly overwhelmed. It is an interesting predicament.

We live outside of town, and all of the kids activities are in town.

I am one person, with one car.

Austin is 14. He is involved in the things that he is passionate about. He takes 5 hours of mixed martial arts training a week. He will be playing baseball on the varsity team of a local private school, as well as the Dixie Boys League. He is also involved in the Boy Scouts. His activities are not too much for him, and it is exciting to see him work so hard to achieve his goals. Savannah is 12. She is still figuring out what she wants to seriously pursue. She takes dance and art each week. Jack is 8. He likes to have fun, as all 8 yr olds should. He enjoys martial arts and will be trying his hand at baseball this year. None of the kids are involved in "too much". And this is something that I carefully monitor, always looking for signs of stress. But I see none. They are thrilled. There is nothing that they would rather be doing. Add to these, church and youth group, and various birthday parties, etc. And you've got one full calendar.

BUT. I am one person. With one car.

So, while I am excited beyond belief to watch my growing children stand at the edge of our little nest and try out their wings.......I'm not quite sure how to juggle it all. I miss having dinner as a family at home. I miss just laying in the floor and playing a board game at night. It's a tough compromise. Jack will not be raised in the same environment that his brother and sister were. It is not ideal, but that's the way it is. He seems as jovial as ever, but there is a part of me that wishes that I could give him a little more time at home.(Isn't that funny.....And we homeschool!!!) Just doing simple things. With me. It feels a bit like a whirlwind right now.

So, if you pray, pray for me, as I seek to what is best for EACH of our children.That I will figure out how to invest in my children, even when it's not convenient. Even when we are in the car, on the road. That God would give me wisdom in this area of my life, to do what He would want. ANd also the strength and persistence to continue mothering, schooling, taxi-ing, and a home remodel(What was I thinking!). Race will not be gone forever. WHen he comes home we will be TWO people and TWO cars. ANd THAT will feel much better.

Thanks for the prayers,
G'night,
Melissa

Thom's Bo

Well, he seems nice enough. Everything was going really well, but seriously, I hate to be brutally honest, but I think that the whole family could have done without the pictures of himself on the beach, in a Speedo. I mean.....C'MON!!!!


Admit it. I got you. You know I got you....(snort)
Anyway, It really WAS a good weekend, but unfortunately Thom's bo had to cancel, so we'll have to meet him another time. We had a great time at mom and dads. It was so great to see everyone again. We had some amazing meals....from baked salmon, to thick steaks, to seafood alfredo. One morning mom and dad fixed everone fried eggs, toast, grits, and home made sausage. It is so fun to sit around the table with everyone, relaxing and drinking hot coffee. YUM!!

There are over 10 new adorable calves dotting the fields on the farm. Thom piled all the kids on the John Deer gator, and took them down to the back fields, to look for rocks in the creek. And of course they came back burdened down with all their treasures!

My kids are so blessed to have family members that believe in them....and invest time in them. My dad took Austin over an hour away on Sat. and Sun. where he had arranged a 1 hr private lesson with a former pro player. He was swinging a bat for an hour straight, and he has a huge blister to prove it...(yes, he had batting gloves on). Also, Uncle Todd spent hours outside catching for him, and then took him out to Game Stop and let him pick out some games. How awesome is that??? Family is such a blessing to us.

We have heard from Race and he sent us a few pictures. We miss him so much!

I have a few pictures from Austin's Court of Honor, that I haven't had the chance to put up yet, so maybe I can get that done later this evening. I'll be catching up on blogs tonight too. Hope that everyone had an awesome weekend!

Well, the stars must have aligned themselves properly or something, because I just got ANOTHER child in for a dental check-up. That's 2 down and 1 to go!In the past, when I would hear of people taking their children in for regular dental cleanings, I would remark, "You do that, eh?" But No more! Woo-hoo!

Austin got promoted in rank tonight at Scouts at the Court of Honor ceremony. Ooo and guess what? MOTHERS get appreciation pins as well! How cool! They honor the moms!(Funny to see each boy look on in horor when asked to pin these tiny pins on their mom's lapelle!!) It was a fun time tonight to get to know all the other parents of these great young men. You know, you always hear bad things about the "next generation", but this just gives you such a great feeling. Because if this is the "next generation"....I am not worried.

Thomasina came tonight to be there for Austin, and to take pictures for me. the boys thoroughly enjoyed seeing a professional photographer confidently snapping shots of them being presented with their awards. ANd then they really hammed it up for her afterwards too! I am sure that we will have some to post soon. Thanks so much Thom!

I talked to Race today for a bit. It was so good to hear his voice. We miss you Race!

G'night,
Melissa

Happy Valentines Day!

So this morning, first thing, Jack comes downstairs and says, "Oh, mom, by the way, in case you were wondering, the Toot-Fest has been postponed." "Oh? How come?" He looks at me incredulously and says, "The HOLIDAY, of course." ANd then he hands me a homemade Valentine that he made all by himself with hearts and streamers all over it. AWWwwwwww... Actually all of the kids made me a Valentine. And then about half way through the day a Fed Ex guy arrives with 2 boxes. One for me and one for Savannah. Savannah's had a beautiful note from her dad, and contained a sweet, plush dog that holds a heart. Inside my box was a beautifully wrapped, tall, pink Tower of Treats. Each pretty pink,striped box holding a new EDIBLE( an important fact), surprise!(Of course there was a super sappy, sweet note enclosed in mine also!) And don't you know that I use my most dramatic effects when opening each and every box. I prolonged the suspense, making the surprise last as llllooonnnng....as possible. THIS drives children insane. The youngest became positively ravenous with excitement before I finally opened the last box!
Thank-you Race, for remembering. You made our day special! We Miss You!!!
G'night, and even if you didn't get a thing, be GLAD you're WITH your Valentine!
Melissa

P.S- The boys had received boxes of conversational hearts and lollipop bouquets from me......just so you know that they weren't left out!